RAK

If I draw a picture and scan it would CNC cut it out? Does CNC take jpg. , gfi? Is there a way to import pics to autocad?

Gus Dering

A cnc machine generally needs something call G-code to run. Each cnc has a controller that speaks some kind of language.

The key to the whole system is a good software program to take your design and generate the G-code without much headache.

To answer your question the best I can, I don't think so.

I can import a DXF file from autocad into a software program and apply tool path to the 2D drawing. I don't think you can import a hand sketch into autocad but I could be wrong about that.

Chances are your accurate hand drawing would be used as the template to imput the needed info into a design program. Then go from screen to machine.

What is it that you are trying to do?

Jacktoo

I would contact the supplier of the cnc you're looking at and have them send you information or a cd. I have a few friends with cnc's. They said no in answer to your question.

phinds

Absolutely not. That would take a degree of pattern recognition on the part of the machine that would be staggering beyond belief. Even a "simple" line drawing would be far beyond the abilities of such a machine.

You have to do the drawing in conjunction with computer software which can convert it to "code" that the machine can understand.

Paul

__________________
phinds
-------------------------------------------
www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/

Jim Tank

You scan the drawing to a design program like corel draw, then convert to bitmap. the conversoin is rarely "clean", so it must be worked on so there are no over lap in vectors (Lines with ending points). then converted into a file format that the CNC machining software understands like DFX. File is then imported to CNC design software for additional cleaning up like ungrouping overlapping or open vectors. then tool pathing is done and whallah! the machine cuts you piece. Try to skip your drawing and scanning and hand your sketch to a CNC programmer along with $200 and let him do the work on the design software. CNC is great if you do your own programming or if you need more than five or ten complicated shapes cut out with amazing acuracy. Check out my album "Tracy's table" or CNC signs.

scout

hey--

Just browsing here but noticed your question. I suppose it depends on the software you use and what kind of part, but for fairly straightforward furniture parts it is very easy. I typically take a photo of a part I want to do, download it to the computer and then import it into the software I use (Vectric Aspire). I then pull up the photo and trace over it creating the lines, curves, shape whatever. The software will do this automatically if you ask it, but it is fast and easy to trace over the part myself. One of their components of the vectric software (photo vcarve) will take a photo of say a face and convert it to toolpaths to then cut out on a cnc. The vectric website is very well done and has alot of examples http://www.vectric.com/. Also google shopbot and there is a world of cnc hobbyists who are doing what you are thinking of. (This being said, a cnc, and the software to run it is not cheap!)

odej98

as a professional cnc user, the answer is as simple as using software capable for it. You may find out that it will be prohibitively expensive. CAD/CAM software has the functionality built in.

I would go as far to suggest making your sketch on graph paper and the translating your endpoints/intersection of your drawings from there. Very Primitive, but very effective.

Learning to program a cnc the old fashioned way is a simple process and you need not worry about a learning curve.

Gus Dering

I downloaded the demo version of Vetric Pro last week and played with it quite a bit. Nice software for the odd ball parts and V-carving. The tutrials on line are pretty darn good too.
Their software seems reasonably priced too compared to what Cabinetvision set me back. Heck, Tech support for Cabinetvision is $1000 a year, more than Vetric Pro purchase price.
Good software is very expensive to say the least but the cnc machine is nothing without it.

RAK

My friend got a CNC. I want to learn how this machine works and if I could import pics into autocad so it will cut them out. So far I learned that it all depends on what program you have. I dont know what program he has. I will find out.